Three quarters of businesses agree they would rather let a valuable employee take time out than lose them altogether.
These are the findings of research conducted by travel specialist i-to-i. According to the firm, nearly half or 44% of respondents would also offer some salary to their absent employees to secure their return.
Employers are also motivated by the business benefits of letting their workers take a career break:
- Two thirds (66%) feel sabbatical schemes would help retain workers by showing employers’ commitment to their staff.
- Six in ten (58%) say a career break could enhance employees’ skills and experience, whilst
- More than half (55%) say the option of a sabbatical would help prevent workers feeling tired and unmotivated.
Six in ten larger organisations and one in five smaller businesses would be happy to offer some form of career break or corporate trip to groups to reward outstanding workers.
Deirdre Bounds, founder of i-to-i commented: “Corporate Social Responsibility is becoming increasingly important for businesses of all sizes, so more and more companies are incorporating worthwhile activities, such as volunteer work, into their HR policies. Similarly, employee retention is a big consideration for any business, so by offering travel incentives for outstanding workers, employers can gain the best of both worlds.”
A third of managers indicated they would like to take a career break at some point although only 10% had already done so.
